Finding Text
2024-001: Student Financial Audit Cluster - Special Tests: Enrollment Reporting (Significant Deficiency)
Assistance Listing Numbers/Title: #84.007, #84.033, #84.063 & #84.268, Student Financial Aid Cluster
Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Education
Award Number: N/A
Award Year: July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Criteria: Per 2.3.1 of the National Student Loan Data System Enrollment Reporting Guide, “…schools are required to report all Title IV aid recipients’ enrollment at the program-level in addition to the campus-level.”
Per 4.4.2 of the National Student Loan Data System Enrollment Reporting Guide, “The implementation of the 150% subsidized loan limit makes the reporting of a Withdrawn ‘W’ or Graduated ‘G’ status even more critical. The completion of a program protects the student’s interest subsidy. A withdrawal indicates that the program was not completed or that the student is not currently taking coursework in the program. The effective date for a withdrawn (‘W’ status) is the last date the student attended any classes or otherwise was engaged in an academically related activity at the school or in the program. The effective date for the completion/graduation (‘G’ status) is the date that the school assigns to the completion/graduation and can be either the same as the effective date of a previously reported ‘W’ or sometime after that date.”
Per 1.5 of the National Student Loan Data System Enrollment Reporting Guide, “At a minimum, schools are required to certify enrollment for all Title IV aid recipients every 60 days. Timely reporting of changes ensures the accuracy of student information.”
Condition/context: Of the 14 students tested for Campus Level Enrollment Reporting, we noted one instance where the student’s enrollment effective date was not reported correctly for the semester selected for testing.
Cause: The Student Financial Aid Office and Records and Registration did not perform a review of student enrollment reporting to ensure the proper and timely reporting of student status changes for all students reported during the semester.
Effect: Improper reporting of student status changes could impact students’ interest subsidy and/or repayment status.
Questioned costs: None.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: The Student Financial Aid Office and Records and Registration continue to implement and improve controls to ensure the proper and timely reporting of student enrollment as well as any and all student status changes through regular reviews of enrollment reporting and comparison to college records.
Views of responsible officials: Management concurs with the finding. See Exhibit I for corrective action plan.